17 Extra credit 1—Take a hike!

(adapted from Jefferson, 2008)

Assignment procedure

Go for a hike in an outdoor location or visit a local, state, or national park. While you are there, take some field notes about the geologic features and processes you see. Also make sure to get a photo, map, or brochure.

Write a one- to two-page descriptive essay about at least four earth science features or processes that you observed. You should make sure to use correct terms to identify the features and describe how you knew what you were looking at. Also make sure that your essay includes geographical information (trail, park, nearest city, state).

Here are some location ideas to get you started: Alexandria Community

Park, Devou Park, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Boone Cliffs State Nature

Preserve, Gunpowder Creek Nature Park, Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati Nature Center, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Red River Gorge Geological Area, Hocking Hills State Park, Serpent Mound, Ohio Caverns. There are so many great places nearby, so please don’t feel limited to this list!

Submit your essay with your field notes, sketches, photos, park brochure or map here. Be sure to cite the authors when quoting or paraphrasing information, maps, or figures from external sources.